Ch-ch-ch-changes...

 Hi everyone!

You've might have noticed that there are a lot of changes going on around here...

First, Brady and I are moving to Athens.  That's probably obvious since I've been worrying/crowing/cackling/writing about it for some time now.  Yippee!

For me, the process of moving to a new city has been quite the catalyst for upheaval...good and bad.  I've realized how easily I get stressed and how prone I am to nag, nag, nag even though I like to think I'm disguising it as competent concern.  Heh.  

But the flipside of the negative is, obviously, a bunch of positive stuff.  I feel as if I've been rediscovering myself...my strengths and weaknesses all laid out on the table like a big family feast.  That gives me the opportunity to nurture those things that I like about myself...and there are some things that I really like...and begin the slow and arduous (but necessary and cathartic) process of changing the things that I really don't like.

I've even rediscovered my love for my blog.  It has been a struggle to post lately...and I've read too many other blogs that tout that you should have minute and detailed ideas of what you want/expect/plan for a blog.  I'm not like that...in case you couldn't tell.  I've made grandiose statements and predictions about my blog...but I've let them fall to the wayside because they weren't what I really wanted...rather, it was what I thought was expected.   I'm not a full-time, or even part-time...maybe veryrarelyifalmostnever?, fashionista.  I'm not a superb crafter.  I'm not an eloquent writer.  I don't own fancy camera/video/tech equipment.  I don't own a new pair of shoes/clothes for every single day of the week.  And you know what?  I don't want to, y'all.  I just want to do what I enjoy and share it with you here.  If I get good at something then it'll be all my choice and not some silly imaginary bloggy voice in my ear saying 'nope...not cool/good/creative/catchy/excellent enough...try harder LAME-O!'  I'm going to seriously try to let go of my insecurities and just enjoy this blog for what it should be...my personal space on the big and complex world wide web of creativity and expression.

With that in mind, I made a few changes already.  I got a new layout!  I still liked my old one but I wanted a fresh look to go with my fresh attitude.  The new stuff reminds me of the color scheme in my new house.  And I cut out all the widget shit too.  Right now I want simple and streamlined.  I really hope you like it too!

Oh, and just FYI...I closed my ETSY account.  I just didn't have time to sell anymore and I have no extra money to spend on things that might give me a small return.  That and a few sellers have been a wee bit assholeish about my not shipping overseas and about stuff that was clearly stated and pictured on listings.  Hmph.  It wasn't fun anymore and I wasn't making jack shit in money...so I quit it.  I could go on and on and on about some issues with ETSY but I'm going to just leave this here and walk away now...

I still have my Pinterest account, my Instagram, my FB page (which I'm going to start updating regularly again), and I'm working with a few folks about promoting a giveaway.  I don't know how far I'll get with the latter since I'm going to be swamped with moving but I promise to try my darndest to get something going.  We'll see though...

I guess what I'm asking is that you stick by me for a while and see if you like where I take this thing. 

It's going to be a lot like this: "It's a hundred and six miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses.  Hit it."  

I think I'm up for it.